Weather man Tamati says farewell from his place

Coming back to his turangawaewae on his farewell tour was fitting for Breakfast weather presenter Tamati Coffey.

Coffey has resigned from the show and decided to spend his final week filming in different locations around the country for his Tamati's Take Off Tour.

For his final stop on his tour, Coffey decided to do yesterday's shoot in Ohinemutu, his turangawaewae (place of belonging).

He said it was important for him to come down and see the family and give everyone hugs before he leaves for England on Saturday.

"It's beautiful and heartwarming that all these people have got out of bed to see me in the rain. Aunty Bea even took time out of her busy schedule to come down and Lili Latham came all the way over the hill from Whakatane to support me."

Latham was a semifinalist on New Zealand's Got Talent, the show Coffey recently finished hosting. She performed David Guetta's Gettin' Over You live for the show and had the crowd dancing in the background.

Coffey also brought Rotorua's Aunty Bea Yates in front of the camera to thank her for her support.

Aunty Bea said it had been an honour as she was one of his biggest fans from his early days on television.

"He has an infectious smile and such a warm personality. He can just step into another presenter's shoes and carry on the show, no other presenter in New Zealand can do that - but Tamati can, because he is clever and just knows what to do."

Aunty Bea said she was in Ohinemutu for the show because not only was he a Maori boy and a New Zealander, he had a lot of talent.

"He has given his all for television in New Zealand. When I watched New Zealand's Got Talent, that's when I realised fully that this boy is going to go a long way. We're going to miss him so much."

Maunganui Hawe, 8, also had his moment of fame during yesterday's show. When the camera crossed live to Ohinemutu, Maunganui was standing on a chair and introduced the nation to a group of Ngati Whakaue women who sang for the show.

Maunganui said he was nervous, but would like to see himself on television.

"I had to stand on a chair and say 'good morning New Zealand, my name is Maunganui and that's all'. I felt nervous but it was cool."

Coffey's farewell show for Breakfast was this morning, although he will be back tomorrow for the final of Saturday Breakfast.